THURMONT, Md. -- A Thurmont man died early Thursday when his pickup truck crashed into a tree on Md. 806 near Thurmont, according to a Maryland State Police press release. Richard Allen Caudill, 43, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Caudill was northbound on Md. 806 (Catoctin Furnace Road) in a 2001 Chevrolet pickup truck about 1:06 a.m. when he lost control of the vehicle on a curve near Hillside Avenue, police said. The pickup skidded across the southbound lane and went off the road, police said.

Last week's question: If you have teenaged children, what is the best way you have found to discourage them from drinking illegally? Poll Results I don't care. - 10 votes (40 percent) I'd rather leave a comment. - 15 votes (60 percent) ( Editor's note: Since a recent update of our software, many who respond to this poll have indicated that they wanted to leave a comment, but then didn't. If those people changed their minds, that's OK, but if there is another problem, please let us know about it by e-mailing opinion@herald-mail.

trishr@herald-mail.com BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. - More special events like wedding functions and wine and cheese receptions could be held on the grounds of Cacapon State Park if a rule change being considered by the state is approved. At the Morgan County park, and in most West Virginia state parks, events at which alcohol are served are allowed only in the conference centers or in restaurants. The Parks and Recreation Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR)

Ghost tour The tour is designed for adults and children older than 8. 9 p.m. today. Jonathan Hager House, City Park, Hagerstown. $3 per person; free for children younger than 6. Registration is required. For details and reservations, call 301-739-8393 or send e-mail to cvmoore@frontiernet.net. Mile-Long Plus Yard Sale Dozens upon dozens of homes will hold yard sales. 7 a.m. until late afternoon Saturday. Stretches in various directions from Paradise Church Road.

HAGERSTOWN -- Richard Graceson, 64, remembers when a bottle of Coke cost 10 cents, a price that has risen with time, but a new tax threatens to increase the price of both soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. The U.S. Senate Finance Committee is considering raising taxes on alcohol and imposing a new levy on soda and other naturally sweetened drinks to help pay for overhauling health care. "I would agree with (raising the taxes)," Graceson said. "The way health care is now, they have to do something about it. " Graceson said his doctors have told him to cut back on the amount of soft drinks he consumes daily, but that advice has not quenched his thirst.

Pennsylvania beer lovers will soon have more time to buy beer on Sundays under a bill that lawmakers approved with bipartisan support Wednesday and sent to the governor. The legislation, which originally sought to create a liquor license for small Pennsylvania distilleries, was amended without fanfare in the Senate to include a potpourri of changes to the state liquor code. The Senate approved the amended version 40-9 and the House followed suit a short time later, 170-32. Gov. Tom Corbett plans to sign the bill, spokesman Gary Miller said.

Council to discuss licensing dry clubs A new Hagerstown law to license for-profit music or dance clubs that aren't required to have liquor licenses is expected to be voted on next Tuesday. The license would cost $500 annually, and would not apply to businesses with liquor licenses because they already have government oversight. Also exempt would be theaters, restaurants, and clubs sponsored or operated by a government, educational institution, or religious, charitable, benevolent, fraternal or social organization.

City Council endorses permits for dry clubs By DAN KULIN / Staff Writer A law requiring commercial, non-alcoholic entertainment clubs in Hagerstown to get a $500 license annually was unanimously endorsed Tuesday by the City Council. A final vote on the licensing law is expected Jan. 30. Entertainment clubs and businesses exempt from the proposed law include theaters, restaurants, clubs sponsored or operated by a government, educational institution, or religious, charitable, benevolent, fraternal or social organization.

Some of the more than 300 new Maryland laws that take effect Saturday: HB143, requires public schools to allow students to possess and use an asthma inhaler or other emergency asthma medication if they have a written order from a doctor and are mature enough to use the medicine themselves. HB275, makes it a crime to pretend that a substance is toxic with the intent of terrorizing the public. HB1392, increases the fine for providing alcoholic beverages to minors from $500 to $1,000 for a first offense and from $1,000 to $1,500 for subsequent offenses.

Pennsylvania beer lovers will soon have more time to buy beer on Sundays under a bill that lawmakers approved with bipartisan support Wednesday and sent to the governor. The legislation, which originally sought to create a liquor license for small Pennsylvania distilleries, was amended without fanfare in the Senate to include a potpourri of changes to the state liquor code. The Senate approved the amended version 40-9 and the House followed suit a short time later, 170-32. Gov. Tom Corbett plans to sign the bill, spokesman Gary Miller said.

WILLIAMSPORT -- The Williamsport Town Council has passed an emergency ordinance that opens the door for alcoholic beverages to be served at events in Springfield Farm Barn with prior approval from the council. The measure, approved Monday, allows the council to grant exceptions to a rule prohibiting consumption of alcohol in public parks and associated buildings, including the barn. Williamsport Mayor James G. McCleaf II said the exceptions would be granted for individual events on a case-by-case basis through resolutions by the council.

Ghost tour The tour is designed for adults and children older than 8. 9 p.m. today. Jonathan Hager House, City Park, Hagerstown. $3 per person; free for children younger than 6. Registration is required. For details and reservations, call 301-739-8393 or send e-mail to cvmoore@frontiernet.net. Mile-Long Plus Yard Sale Dozens upon dozens of homes will hold yard sales. 7 a.m. until late afternoon Saturday. Stretches in various directions from Paradise Church Road.

It's a bird. It's a plane. Wait, there are planes if you're at Fairgrounds Park on Saturday. But you can catch fireworks at any of these places as we celebrate our independence and the nation's birthday. Now that's what I call birthday candles. Here's just a sample of what's going on. FRIDAY, JULY 3 · Independence Jam at Plumb Grove, corner of North Martin Street and Broadfording Road, Clear Spring. Starts at 5 p.m. Bluegrass and country concert begins at 6. Fireworks, expected to last 30 minutes, start at 9:30 p.m. Buffet-style food includes steamers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches.

HAGERSTOWN -- Richard Graceson, 64, remembers when a bottle of Coke cost 10 cents, a price that has risen with time, but a new tax threatens to increase the price of both soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. The U.S. Senate Finance Committee is considering raising taxes on alcohol and imposing a new levy on soda and other naturally sweetened drinks to help pay for overhauling health care. "I would agree with (raising the taxes)," Graceson said. "The way health care is now, they have to do something about it. " Graceson said his doctors have told him to cut back on the amount of soft drinks he consumes daily, but that advice has not quenched his thirst.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - The banks of the Conococheague will never be mistaken for the Rive Gauche, and Chambersburg will not be confused with Paris, but sipping a glass of wine at a sidewalk cafe could become legal in the future. This week, the Borough Council considered amending its alcoholic beverages and public vending ordinances to allow people to imbibe at sidewalk cafes and during certain outdoor festivals. The measure will be the subject of a public hearing at the Nov. 17 council meeting.

THURMONT, Md. -- A Thurmont man died early Thursday when his pickup truck crashed into a tree on Md. 806 near Thurmont, according to a Maryland State Police press release. Richard Allen Caudill, 43, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Caudill was northbound on Md. 806 (Catoctin Furnace Road) in a 2001 Chevrolet pickup truck about 1:06 a.m. when he lost control of the vehicle on a curve near Hillside Avenue, police said. The pickup skidded across the southbound lane and went off the road, police said.

Approximately 25,000 people are expected to make their way to Antietam National Battlefield tomorrow for the 23rd annual Salute to Independence, featuring the Maryland Symphony Orchestra and fireworks. That's 25,000 people making their way down two-lane roads and hoping to get a good spot, with many arriving hours before the concert starts. So here are some tips and information about do's and don'ts and how to spend the time without annoying your picnicking neighbors. What to wear, what to bring Dress in loose-fitting, light clothing.